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MLB Trade Deadline: 5 best under-the-radar moves

By Joshua Sadlock

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 02: Tim Beckham #1 of the Baltimore Orioles loosens up in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 2, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 02: Tim Beckham #1 of the Baltimore Orioles loosens up in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 2, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 02: Steve Cishek #33 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws wildly to first base in an attempt to throw out Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros on a bunt in the eighth inning at Minute Maid Park on August 2, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 02: Steve Cishek #33 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws wildly to first base in an attempt to throw out Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros on a bunt in the eighth inning at Minute Maid Park on August 2, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

4. Steve Cishek to the Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays have a solid pitching staff and a power-laden offense. The only thing that’s really missing from this team is a strong bullpen. Tommy Hunter had been the only consistent presence in the ‘pen for the Rays to count on every night. Even closer Alex Colome has had his struggles this year.

Adding Cishek to the bullpen for Erasmo Ramirez is one of the best smaller trades to take place at the deadline. Ramirez was a swingman for the Rays — not someone who could be trusted to pitch in a high-leverage situation in a pennant race. Cishek is that type of pitcher for the Rays. The eight-year veteran has closing experience as recently as last season, and the advanced metrics back up his low ERA. That is not always the case with successful sidearm pitchers.

In his first four outings with the Rays, Cishek has not allowed an earned run and only one hit with five strikeouts. The Rays cannot play on big-name relievers like Zach Britton or Justin Wilson, but their front office did a good job preying on the Seattle Mariners desperation to add anyone who could potentially start. Cishek, not Ramirez, is the more valuable pitcher in a playoff race.

Cishek and Sergio Romo give the Rays two solid veterans to help fortify the bullpen. If Brad Boxberger continues improving and getting healthy, the Tampa Bay bullpen can hold its own with any team in the American League.

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